In 1973, Buick replaced the Skylark name with Century and Regal (premium coupe) for its intermediate model built on GM’s corporate A-Body platform.

Regal was used for the automaker’s new midsize personal luxury coupe that was offered as an affordable companion to the full-size Buick Riviera personal luxury coupe. A Regal sedan was added in 1974, while the Century name was dropped in 1975. Depending on the year, the first-generation (1973-1977) car was powered by Buick’s V-6 and V-8 engines and backed by a three-speed automatic.

GM’s intermediate cars were downsized for the Regal’s second generation (1978-1987). Although the platform was largely unchanged, GM renamed its rear-drive A-Body platform as the G-Body in 1981. (A-Body was used for the new corporate front-drive midsize chassis.) Regal was used for coupes, while the Century name reappeared for sedans and wagons from 1978-1981. In 1982, Century moved to the new front-drive A-Body platform and the Regal name appeared on the rear-drive sedan (discontinued after 1984) and wagon (discontinued after 1983).

The epitome of rear-drive Buick Regal performance began with the available the turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 used in the Grand National, Turbo-T, T-Type, and GNX models. Over the years, the engine was offered in several power levels rated from 175-276-hp and 275-360 lb-ft, though it was said the top-of-the-line 1987 Buick Regal GNX actually made 300 hp and 420 lb-ft. Turbocharged G-Body Regal coupes are still sought by enthusiasts.

In its third generation (1988-1996), Buick moved the Regal to GM’s front-drive W platform. Coupe and sedan bodystyles were offered with a range of V-6 engines. In 1996, the top engine was a 3.8-liter V-6 making 200 hp and 225 lb-ft.

The fourth-generation (1997-2004) Buick Regal was offered only as a sedan and was again the upscale companion to the Century. The naturally aspirated 200-hp 3.8-liter was now the base engine in the Regal LS, while the sporty Regal GS featured a supercharged 3.8-liter V-6 making 240-hp and 280 lb-ft. The 200-hp Buick Regal LS beat the Mercury Sable LS in a 1997 comparison: “When it comes to choosing a winner here, the bottom line really is the bottom line. There’s a good deal to like about both of these cars, but the Buick simply delivers more for less. And if you simply must spend those extra bucks, an even more opulently appointed supercharged Regal GS is ready and waiting.”

In 2005, Buick replaced the Regal with LaCrosse for the name of Buick’s front-drive, midsize W platform sedan.

Initially, the fifth-gen Regal debuted with a 182-hp naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine followed shortly by a 220-hp, 258 lb-ft turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The turbo engine was the first Buick in more than two decades available with a (six-speed) manual transmission. GM’s eAssist mild hybrid system was also available and featured slightly more power and increased fuel economy over the standard engine. In 2012, the Regal GS debuted with a 270-hp, 295 lb-ft version of the turbo 2.0-liter engine.

A 2014 refresh brought revised exterior and interior styling and a streamlined engine lineup. All models with the turbo 2.0-liter engine were now rated 259 hp and 295 lb-ft – that’s up 39 hp and 37 lb-ft for the Turbo model and down 11 hp for the GS due to an exhaust change to fit with the available all-wheel-drive system. Most models featured a six-speed automatic, while the front-drive turbo engine was available with a six-speed manual.

The center stack was revised and gained the next-generation IntelliLink infotainment system with 8.0-inch touchscreen. Other new available tech included radar-based cruise control, and camera-based systems such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems.

In our 2014 Buick Regal GS AWD First Test we concluded: “When it comes to tech, safety, and style, the 2014 Buick Regal GS can definitely hold its own against the big sellers from Europe and Japan. But with a good old-fashioned diet plan and a few more powertrain refinements (specifically the transmission), the Regal GS just might have what it takes to be among the top offerings in the sport luxury-sedan crowd.”